Six factories under the controversial S Alam Group have been shut down indefinitely, leaving employees and workers of the factories in distress.
The abrupt closure decision prompted immediate protests from the affected staff.
Two closure notices signed by Mohammad Borhan Uddin, head of the Group鈥檚 human resources and administration department, were issued on Tuesday.
The factories closed include S Alam Refined Sugar Industries Limited, S Alam Power Plant Limited, S Alam Cold Rolled Steels Limited, S Alam Cold Rolled Steels Limited-NOF, S Alam Power Generation Limited and Infinity CR Strips Industries Limited.
Two of these are located at Kalarpul of Karnaphuli upazila, three at Icha Nagar of Patiya upazila and one at Banshkhali upazila, all in Chattogram district.
S Alam Group chairman Saiful Alam Masud was a close associate of deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina who fled to India amid a student-led mass uprising on August 5.
Several government agencies are investigating asset embezzlement and money laundering allegations against S Alam.
S Alam allegedly took about Tk 2 lakh crore from a number of banks in names and anonymously. A large portion of the funds was allegedly laundered abroad.
The factory closure notice reads, 鈥楾his is to inform all workers, officers, and employees of the factories that, as per the instructions of the authorities, the factories will remain closed from December 25 until further notice due to unavoidable circumstances. However, the security department, delivery section, and emergency services (as determined by the management) will remain operational.鈥�
The notice mentioned that the reopening date would be communicated through a subsequent notice.
An official of S Alam Group said that at least 12,000 permanent and temporary employees were employed in the six closed factories.
Nasir Uddin, a worker protesting at S Alam Cold Rolled Limited, expressed his frustration, saying, 鈥極ur factory was operating normally, yet we suddenly received a closure notice. We have no idea why this happened. How are we supposed to support our families in this situation?鈥�
According to police, protesting workers gathered in front of two closed factories located in Karnaphuli聽area.
Karnaphuli Police Station officer-in-charge Mohammad Sharif said, 鈥極ur team visited two factories where workers had gathered. The authorities addressed the workers and talked to them, after which they were dispersed. The situation is currently under control.鈥�